help please...2x1GB + 2x512MB = Fail

Vicky

Vicky

Vicky

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Joined
4 Mar 2009
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14
Hi all,

I'm upgrading a friend's PC and having a RAM issue, wondered if anyone could help as I may be being stupid!!

So, it's running Vista 32 Bit. The motherboard is Foxconn Winfast 6100m2ma-rs2h. It had 2x512MB PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM in it.

I'm trying to add 2x1GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM to the 2x512MB but Windows wont load with them all in.

It loads with just the 2x1GB, it loads with just the 2x512MB, and it loads with the 2x1GB + either of the sticks of 512MB in either of the two remaining slots - i.e. it's not a faulty slot or a faulty stick of RAM.

It just refuses to load windows with all four sticks. :confused: Can anyone help? Or point out where I'm being stupid!

Thanks in advance,
Vicky.
 
Have you tried upping the nb voltage or ram voltage in bios? Does all modules run at the same voltage? Maybe try underclocking and see if that helps to get it to boot. However, if I was you I would dump the 512 kit (they're lower speed) and go for another 2x1 6400.

I'm selling my Corsair TwinX pc2-6400 cl4's and only want £30-35 for them (they are a replacment kit and only a few months old) - just to give you an example of price. :p
 
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As above, you may need to up the North Bridge voltage slightly as you have now added more modules and I would go with just the 2x1gb modules too, mixing the two will likely be more problematic to get running at a good speed.
 
Thank you both for the suggestions. I had to return the computer to my friend last night, I was just wondering if there was something simple I was missing/forgetting. I just left it with 2x1GB and 1x512MB in it.

Thanks again,
Vicky.
 
I would say that running the 2X1GB in dual channel is more benificial than having an extra GB of RAM although it does depend on what programs you're using and whether you find they are spilling over into the page file. :)
 
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By leaving only one of the 512's in the mobo means that all the memory will be running in single rather than dual channel mode, that means it's running at half the speed its capable of. Also the 512 module is slower than the other two and therefore all the modules will be running at the slowest modules speed.
My advice is to remove the 512MB stick as its having negligable benefit and if anything slowing your friends system down.
 
You will probably find if you have access to the MB manual that the configuration you are using isn't supported..

Mixing ram speeds and different sizes often causes issues.. From my experience keep to the same (doubles) same size ram in each slot.

Just from what I have experienced in the past.
 
My advice would be to tell your friend that the old sticks are poo and need to be upgraded.. it probably wont cost much and then you would have all sticks at the same speed. Try to keep all sticks the same size and then fill all four slots with the same speed ram.

Im guessing that the new ram you bought which is higher spec is probably working at the speed of the old ram which defeats the point of upgrading and you will not see much if any improvment to be honest.

anyway... good luck.
 
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